The world of drones is becoming more and more prevalent in the market. From hobbyist to professional, there are a variety of models for all needs. In this article we will go over some of the best drones that fall under the $300 budget range from beginner-friendly, light weight models to high end 4K cameras with great battery life and stability control features for those who want their drone activities to be as action packed as possible!
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What is the Best Drone Under 300?
We could say that we traveled the world to find for you the Best Drone Under 300 and it’s partially true – we’ve been on the road since 2011 after all.
More importantly, we have done a very thorough research online and have gone through most of the available drones for less than $300 that you can buy today. We read the comments left by people who bought and used these drones under 300 dollars.
We also wrote a brief drones under 300 dollars Buying Guide and FAQ sections to address most questions you may have.
Without further ado, here’s the list of top 10 drones for less than $300 based on their pricing, specs and ratings by real users.
1. Potensic D58 Drone
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.3 pounds (0.59 kg) Max Flight Time: 18 Minutes Control Range: 1640 ft (500 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No SD Card Slot: Yes |
Fun to fly drone equipped with great camera and and long control range. It’s rather heavy and so it will respond better than most on this list in windy conditions. It’s also very durable which makes it good for less experienced drone operators.
Pros
- Responsive and agile drone that delivers crisp and clear 1080P HD videos,
- Long flight time,
- 3 speed modes
2. Holy Stone HS720E GPS Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.09 pounds (0.49 kg) Max Flight Time: 23 Minutes Control Range: 999 meters Gimbal/ Stabilization: EIS SD Card Slot: Micro SD Charging Time: 5 Hours |
HS series deals with intermediate users. Likewise, this GPS-enabled drone comes with a 4K camera, Sony sensor, and brushless motors. You can master aerial photography. However, it’s not fit for commercial gigs (ones that pay!)
Try recording slow-mo videos at 1080p/60fps. Despite missing gimbal, EIS technology helps out the lens. With pressure and optical flow sensors, the quadcopter hovers like an eye in the sky. Smart flight modes allow you to pre-program the route. LED lights sit beneath each arm. Apart from calibration, they also make a spectacle in the night sky.
It’s powered with a 2800mAh Li-Pol battery – slow to drain, slower to recharge.
Pros
- Auto return mode,
- High-quality, stable imaging,
- Double altitude hold,
- Up to 128GB of microSD support
Cons
- Not professional-grade,
- >5hr 0-100% charging
3. ATTOP A11 Toy Drone
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.04 pounds (0.02 kg) Max Flight Time: 5 Minutes Control Range: 50 meters SD Card Slot: N/A Charging Time: 0.75 Hours |
A11 is a smart choice for a gift to rattle down your chimney this Christmas. Its four-blade propellers give a spaceship appearance. They have 360⁰ guards so that children don’t get hurt.
Overall, it’s a stable and efficient RC quadcopter. It helps rookies absorb the basic controls and functions. The built-in headless function memorizes the orientation. One-key launch/land also comes in handy. Or you can kick-start by tossing it in the air. Anyways, keep the drone in sight!
A battery connects with a short type-C cable, lasting between 4-6 minutes. You get three of them for lasting enjoyment.
Pros
- 360⁰ rollover,
- Three batteries pack,
- Novice-friendly headless mode,
- Attractive kid’s drone
Cons
- Lack of calibration,
- Suitable for in-house flights
4. Tizzy Toy S8 Upgraded Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.87 pounds (0.39 kg) Max Flight Time: 15 Minutes Control Range: 300 meters SD Card Slot: Micro SD Charging Time: 2 Hours |
Toy drone strives to present pro-level features under $100. From a 4K HD camera and 90⁰ adjustment to hovering and one-key landing options, you can do more than just backyard fun.
It operates with its controller and smartphones. You can also dictate the route pre-programmed or through gestures and voices. With the 300-meter range and 360⁰ flips, it continues the aerial venture for 15 minutes. The package has two batteries, effectively doubling the period.
There are advanced touches like 50x zoom, 60m three-way obstacle detection, and button-activated RGB fans. Don’t take it out in above-10mph wind. It threatens the drone’s stability.
Pros
- Obstacle avoidance,
- Dual-speed and headless modes,
- Visually appealing RGB fans,
- Great value for money
Cons
- Vulnerable to windy conditions,
- Weak smartphone connection
5. SANROCK U52 Drone
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.9 pounds (0.41 kg) Max Flight Time: 13 Minutes Control Range: 100 meters SD Card Slot: Micro SD Charging Time: 3.33 Hours |
Sanrock U52 is a great beginners’ drone. Its 1080p output shouldn’t be the sole reason to go for another equally-priced drone.
It takes photos and videos. Furthermore, it supports FPV transmissions. 30-meter is the farthest possible range in the case of real-time shots. The controller starts beeping as you surpass this distance. When flying indoors, it lives up to the advertised battery timing. However, outdoor conditions may have disproportionate effects. And spare batteries are not given! You can guide it through its app, remote, voice commands, or certain gestures. It also follows your phone’s motion and drawings. Gravity sensors are integrated to add more fun.
Pros
- Live transmission,
- Multiple controls,
- A smart alert mechanism,
- Durable ABS construction
Cons
- Only 1080p HD camera,
- Short battery life
6. EMAX Tinyhawk RTF Micro Racing Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.93 pounds (0.42 kg) Size: 4.3 x 3.7 x 1.5 inches (10.9 x 9.4 x 3.8 cm) Max Flight Time: 4 Minutes |
The EMAX Tinyhawk RTF micro drone is the premium choice on my list. It is an excellent choice for entry-level quadcopter pilots, and it comes ready to fly out of the box. The drone comes with an FPV kit that includes FPV goggles, the remote controller, and a small carry case. Although the drone is slightly larger than some of the other drones on the list, it is considerably lightweight at 42g.
The drone features a durable polypropylene frame with impact protection guards for the propellers. It also includes an FPV camera which transmits high-quality FPV video to the goggles or an external monitor. Another thoughtful feature is the motor beeper function that helps you find the micro drone if it lands in a busy place.
Tinyhawk is a racing drone, and it has the fastest speed of all the drones on this list at 35 miles per hour. The quadcopter’s controller comes with Level, Horizon, and Full Acrobatic FPV flight modes. On the downside, its battery performance is the shortest on my list of the best micro-drones at four minutes.
Pros
- Ready to fly out of the box,
- Can achieve 35mph racing speed,
- Comes with a camera and FPV goggles,
- Sturdy and durable construction
Cons
- Short flight time of four minutes
7. DJI Mavic Mini
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.55 pounds (0.25 kg) Max Flight Time: 30 Minutes Control Range: 4 Km Gimbal/ Stabilization: 3-axis SD Card Slot: Micro SD Charging Time: 1.5 Hours |
Mavic Mini does wonders with a tiny form factor. It supports 12MP JPEG photos and 2.7K Quad HD videos, which is more than enough for travelers or hobbyists. A Motorized 3-axis gimbal keeps the camera focused and stable.
Mini stays in the skies for half an hour. You can guide it through the controller alone. If losing the line of sight, rely on Fly App. It already has templates. You must dig up its Sport and CineSmooth from app settings, whereas newer models possess mode switches on transmitters.
It was a revolution in 2019. But drone technology is moving at a lightning pace. It’s better to get your hands on Mini 2 if the budget warrants it!
Pros
- Impressive flight duration,
- Easy to use,
- 3-axis stabilization,
- Pocketable, collapsible design
Cons
- DNG RAW format is unsupported,
- Not 4K oriented
8. Altair Falcon AHP Mini Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.32 pounds (0.15 kg) Size: 10.5 x 9.6 x 2.3 inches (26.7 x 24.4 x 5.8 cm) Max Flight Time: 10 Minutes Control Range: 590 SD Card Slot: 2 |
I begin my reviews with my favorite mini drone, the Altair Falcon AHP. The AHP stands for Autonomous Hovering and Positioning System, and it is one of the outstanding features that make this drone one of the easiest to fly in the market. It enables the drone to hover in place without calibration to give you steady flying without too much effort. The quadcopter is also fully assembled right out of the box, and it comes with a simple-to-use remote controller that requires no learning curve to figure it out. The Altair Falcon carries a 720p HD camera that allows for live streaming videos via WiFi and still photos. The remote controller has a smartphone mount for FPV flying and Custom Flight Routing. However, you will need to install their Flying See app to connect your smartphone, and users say it is a quick and easy process. Although the mini-drone has a range of 110M, it is lightweight at 4oz, and a slight wind will make it too unstable for video. However, it has high-quality and durable construction for indoor flying, and it comes with propeller guards that are easily removable once you get used to it. You will also get extra parts like propeller blades and landing gear. The batteries last 10 minutes each, which gives you a total of 20 minutes of action. The instruction booklet indicates a 1-hour charging time for each battery, but users have noted that it takes up to three hours. On the bright side, it is an excellent little quadcopter for newbie drone users and to keep the kids busy.
Pros
- Pre-assembled and ready to fly out of the box, User-friendly features make it easy to pilot,
- Excellent for entry-level drone pilots of all ages,
- Spare parts and an extra battery included,
- Durable construction that will take a beating
Cons
- 3-hour charging time per battery
9. Holy Stone HS110G FPV Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.33 pounds (0.15 kg) Max Flight Time: 20 Minutes Control Range: 328 ft (100 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: No SD Card Slot: Yes |
Holy Stone HS110G is the best cheap drone with a camera. If you cannot spare over a hundred dollars and still want to see where you’re flying in real time, then this model is for you.
While it doesn’t have stabilization, it may actually record a better quality footage than the quadcopters that do but lack SD Card Slot. Recording to SD Card ensures the videos aren’t spotty and make for a much better watching.
A lot of people sing praises of the remote controller and the App for this drone so if you’re new to flying quadcopters, you should have an easy time learning with this one.
One of the biggest advantages are the batteries that hold for long time and are cheap to get, so that you get more air time. However, to charge them, you won’t be able to fly, which is the biggest disadvantage.
Pros
- Great value for money,
- Very good footage quality for a beginned quadcopter,
- Batteries last as long as advertised and are cheap to buy extra,
- Great and easy-to-use remote controller,
- You can record your videos to SD card or directly to your phone,
- Well-developed and beginner-friendly App
Cons
- Doesn’t hold position outdoors and may get tossed around in the wind,
- Batteries can only be charged while in the drone, so can’t fly while charging
10. DJI Mavic Mini Light Foldable Drone
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.55 pounds (0.25 kg) Max Flight Time: 30 Minutes Control Range: 1312 ft (400 m) Gimbal/ Stabilization: Yes SD Card Slot: Yes |
I used this quadcopter for a month in Scotland and, I have to say, this is the reason why I decided to buy one. Flying DJI Mavic Mini is a bliss – easy, intuitive and satisfying. It’s also a lightweight and perfect for outdoors because its battery lasts up to 30 minutes so you have plenty of time to find the best shot, making it the best hiking drone out there. Footage also positively surprised me with good quality, especially when it comes to photos. The 3-axis gimbal stabilizes the camera so that the videos are very smooth and look professional, even in strong wind.
DJI Mavic Mini also excels in control range of around 1300 feet. Then, with the built-in SD card, even when your smartphone loses contact with the drone, the footage continues to be recorded in the highest quality, which you’ll be able to download to your computer later.
If you have even bigger budget, you can go for the newest version, DJI Mini 2, which is a Premium Choice here.
Pros
- 3-axis gimbal ensures superior camera stability and ultra-smooth footage,
- Very long flight time (up to 30 minutes),
- lightweight and not requiring FAA registration,
- Crisp video footage in all weather conditions,
- Extremely easy to use even for those who never flew a drone before,
- Very reliable with a long control range,
- Fly More Combo is a great value add
Cons
- Price is a limiting factor for most users,
- No smart controller support
Verdict
TLDR: Quick summary of our findings as to what can be considered the Best Drone Under 300 is below:
Overall best drone under $300 out there: Potensic D58 Drone
Premium Pick if money is not much of an issue: Holy Stone HS720E GPS Drone
Budget Choice – there’s no shame in spending prudently: ATTOP A11 Toy Drone
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying drones under 300 dollars
Return to home mode
This is a feature that allows you to press a button on the controller and have your drone fly itself back to its takeoff point. This can be very useful if it ever loses connection, runs out of battery, etc..
Obstacle avoidance
Some drones have an obstacle avoidance system which allows them to sense anything in front of them and will automatically adjust their flight path to avoid any collisions. However, keep in mind that this system does not work with all drones so be sure to check compatibility before purchasing it.
Follow me
This is a feature that allows you to “tag” an object or person with the drone through GPS tracking like a smart phone app. Now when you move the drone will follow that tagged individual and it can also stop, hover, or go back if you double click on the screen. Think of this as having your own personal cameraman but instead of pointing him at whoever is good looking today he follows only you.
Connectivity
Most drones will have WiFi connectivity built-in but not all of them do. Some cheaper drones may run off of a controller while others come with their own dedicated app for controlling the drone.
Controller
This is the remote control that you will use to fly your drone and it comes in various shapes, sizes, and designs. Most of them come with adjustable controls so that you can customize it for a better flying experience but they all serve the same purpose of controlling the flight modes as well as taking pictures or videos from the air. Many of them also include optional add-ons such as extra battery packs for added flight time or attached cameras so that you can record everything while up in the air.
Sensors
GPS sensors, range finders, and pressure sensors can all be helpful when flying your drone but keep in mind that they are costly add-ons so consider if you really need them before buying one.
Questions and Answers About drones under 300 dollars
What makes drones under 300 different than other drones?
Cheap drones under 300 differ from more expensive drones because they are small. This makes them convenient for children because they are less dangerous and can also easily be hidden. More expensive drones may offer better video quality, providing HD images, and higher flying abilities.The drones with a lower price typically have the most basic features only; this includes the resolution of videos taken. As you increase the price point you get to drones that provide both excellent videos and flight stability.One last factor to note is the warranty on your drone (which will be shorter for cheaper drones) which affects how trustworthy your drone might be if something were to happen while in use or even in storage (such as it being brittle).
Are $300 drones good for aerial photography?
Well, drones in the $300 range are great for simple things like filming a walk through of an apartment or snapping some stills from a specific point. But for more advanced projects where you need to cover a lot of ground very quickly and capture photos at various altitude levels (for instance, if you’re trying to shoot video that includes footage from an above-ground pool during the day vs. shots taken at night) drones priced over $400 can handle those tasks with much greater ease.
How many miles can a drone fly?
A drone’s total flight range might be limited by the length of its battery charge, the payload it can carry, and other factors.It is important to keep in mind that as a rule of thumb, a typical quadcopter on a standard 2200mAh battery will fly for 6-8 minutes per charge. The maximum length of drone flight range that a person can expect will vary depending on factors such as:Drone weight (drones made from lightweight materials will potentially fly farther). Battery capacity (larger batteries will typically allow for longer flight).Propeller size (props that have larger diameters require more energy to spin, so a drone can fly farther with smaller props).Drone motors (some types of motors draw more current than others and will drain the battery faster).How much weight is being carried by the drone (the heavier the payload, the shorter your flight range will be). The weather conditions. Strong headwinds or storms can significantly shorten your flight range.
Do I need a Licence to fly a drone?
Drones are UAVs. They can interfere with other flying objects. Therefore, all countries set some rules to govern these recreational flights.
In the United States, you’ll have to register your above-250g drone. The license costs $5 and remains valid for three years. Regardless of the weight, all flyers must take a safety test and abide by the FAA regulations. Commercial expeditions come under Part 107 statuary laws.
What is the best micro FPV Quadcopter?
A drone that hosts 3″ propellers and weighs less than 250g (0.55lbs) with batteries can be called a micro drone. Online markets are well-stocked with pocket drones for kids. But if you’re looking for an FPV racing quadcopter, then size comes second to transmission quality.
DJI releases a few best options in their Mini and Mavic lineups. You can visit our top picks of best micro drones for every budget.
- Tags: Drone, Product Review, Under $300
- Categories: Outdoors, Photography
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